5 Team Building Activities Universities in Ireland Are Booking Right

Staff in colleges and universities need more than meetings and formal gatherings to feel connected. Busy academic schedules can make it hard to find time for team bonding, which leaves departments working in silos. Team building gives staff the chance to step away from offices and lecture halls, share a different experience, and return to work with stronger relationships.

At Dynamic Events, we’ve delivered events for the likes of DCU, TUD, UCD, UL, Trinity College Dublin and Queen’s Belfast. Looking at the bookings from higher education clients, here are the top five staff team building activities in Ireland that work best.

👉 See our full range of college and university staff team building options.

1. Digital Treasure Hunt

Staff split into teams, solving photo, video and trivia challenges through our award-winning app. Live scores keep energy high, and the activity works perfectly across campus grounds. It’s one of the most booked options for induction days, end-of-term gatherings and large staff groups.

2. Big Picture

A creative workshop where every participant paints a section of a giant mural, revealed only when the whole canvas is complete. Colleges use this for cross-department collaboration and staff wellbeing days. It’s simple to run in lecture halls or large campus spaces.

3. Code Breaker

Teams race against the clock to crack puzzles and open the safe. This high-energy problem-solving activity is popular with admin and academic staff alike because it fits into a one to two hour slot and encourages communication under pressure.

4. Back to School Sports Day

Outdoor fun with classic challenges like sack races, tug of war and relays. It’s competitive but lighthearted, making it ideal for summer away days. Universities often choose Sports Day for all-staff gatherings when they want something active and memorable.

5. Celtic Challenge

Rooted in traditional Irish games, Celtic Challenge brings teams together through physical and mental challenges. It’s an engaging way for staff to share culture and teamwork in an outdoor setting, often used by colleges for end-of-year staff celebrations.

Why College Staff Choose These Activities

These activities stand out because they are short, easy to run on campus or nearby, and work for groups of any size. Whether it’s academic staff, admin teams or cross-departmental groups, they give people the chance to connect and recharge while keeping planning simple.

👉 For a wider range of options, explore our College & University Staff Team Building page.

If you’re planning a staff away day, induction event or just a standalone team building activity, we’ll recommend the format that fits your time, budget and goals. Talk to our team today and make staff team building simple to run and rewarding to take part in.

FAQs:

❓ What makes a Digital Treasure Hunt a good fit for university staff?

A Digital Treasure Hunt works well for staff because it runs on campus grounds, or the nearest town or city and uses our interactive app. Teams complete photo, video and trivia challenges that build connection across departments. You can also see more outdoor team building activities in Ireland if you want additional options.

❓ Can The Big Picture activity run indoors on campus?

Yes, The Big Picture is designed for indoor spaces such as lecture halls or large meeting rooms. Each staff member paints part of a mural that comes together as one final image, making it popular for wellbeing days. For more creative formats, check our collaborative team building activities.

❓ How long does Code Breaker take to run?

Code Breaker is usually a one to two hour activity, so it fits easily into a staff away day or induction workshop. Teams solve puzzles and crack codes to open the safe, with an event manager hosting from start to finish.

❓ Is Back to Schoo Sports Day too physical for admin or office staff?

Not at all. The Back to School Sports Day is flexible and can include light, low-impact challenges as well as competitive races. We adapt the activity to your staff group so everyone can take part. Many universities book Sports Day as part of their fun team building activities.

❓ What is the Celtic Challenge and why do universities book it?

Celtic Challenge is a mix of traditional Irish games that combine teamwork, problem solving and light physical challenges. Universities often choose it for summer events or cultural celebrations, as it brings staff together in a memorable way. Learn more on our Irish themed team building activities page.